As anticipated, we have very little time left before picking up the moving truck and several problem areas (unruly closets, namely) that have yet to be tackled. My wife will attempt to slay this beast tonight, however it's too big a task for the one hour she has to work on it. Thank God for my mother-in-law, because without her help, we would be even further behind than we are now.

As I have told several people, there seem to be five stages to the moving preparation process:

1. Over a week before the move: Procrastination, essentially. Considering what supplies will be necessary for the move and perhaps even purchasing a supply or two.
2. 3-7 days before the move: Packing up several boxes a day from a particular room, sorting through and trashing items along the way, and carefully labeling each box Martha Stewart style.
3. 1-2 days before the move: Quickly packing items into boxes without sorting anything. Labeling is optional at this point.
4. Night before the move: Dumping everything into large, unlabeled bags. You'll have plenty of time to sort stuff at the new place.
5. Day of the move: Deciding that you really didn't want that unpacked stuff at your new place anyway. And the heavy stuff isn't necessary, either.

So, I'm just about to transition into stage 4. Now where are those contractor's bags again?

Just in time for the end of the year, I have accepted a job offer!

Layoffs at work begin in January, but I was able to obtain a job with the same company doing the same job, but in a different city.

I'm looking forward to the move, since we are moving closer to my family. Also, the department I am joining looks to be really great and should be a huge positive.